As many before me have said, joining the University of Wyoming Nordic Ski Team has been the single greatest thing I have done over the course of my college career. This team has become a second family for me and has gotten me through the hard parts of college with the knowledge I get to go up to Happy Jack and ski with my incredible teammates and coaches. Ever since I joined my middle school nordic ski team, I had a dream of skiing in college and internationally. The UW Nordic Ski Team has been the vessel that has allowed me to pursue and achieve goals that I had at times believed to be out of reach. While all of this has been incredible, it is dwarfed by what this team has given me in terms of my perspective on skiing and how it is part of my life. Slowly but surely the environmental and social justice based fundraising (with no lack of blood, sweat, tears, time, and laughter), the introspective conversations in the van, and the integrated WUG course have made me realize that skiing is more than just a form of exercise. Skiing can be an agent of incredible change in the lives of everyone it touches in terms of education, nurturing passion, lifelong health, and positive community engagement. This team has not only helped me realize this but created a platform to apply this moving forward in my life. With a love of skiing brining us together, anything you can provide to help us continue, to as Rachel says, “rock worlds” would be immensely appreciated and used to its utmost potential.

Meghan

Vice president

For me, the UW Nordic ski team is about much more than skiing. It has provided opportunity without limitation. Growing up, there were a number of things I wanted to do: backpacking, biking, triathlon, long runs, nordic skiing, etc. but I was always told that the people who did these things were crazy. It didn’t take long after joining this team to figure out that I love being one of the crazy ones. This team taught me not only how to ski but how to reach my full potential in multiple aspects. It has provided me with a family that accepts all kinds, which has allowed me to embrace my authentic identity and be comfortable being different. Above all, this team provides opportunities that for many of us would otherwise be out of reach, such as international travel and collegiate competition. These opportunities have been well worth the many hours spent raking yards, collecting furniture and cleaning up after football and basketball games to fund them. Being a member of this team created a transformative college experience and I would undoubtedly not be the person I am today if not for this team.

Will

Team Captain

When I was considering what college to attend as a high school senior, my first and foremost consideration was, “Does this school have a ski team?” Then, “Will I be able to ski on this school’s team?” Most schools didn’t fit that criteria. I was a good skier, but I had never made the JN team and didn’t quite crack the top 20 at state, so I wasn’t attracting much attention from college coaches. Through my high school coach, I heard about the UW team (she’s an alum) and it didn’t take much convincing to get me here. All abilities are welcome and I qualified for the elite team, and that’s all I needed to hear. I spent my freshman year as the youngest male skier in the RMISA and had some good races, and I made the High Plains JN team. Each year I have been at UW I’ve gotten faster and had better results, and by my sophomore year I was winning races, and my junior year beating skiers that stomped on me in high school. Now as a senior I am on a men’s team that aims to win its third consecutive national title, an unprecedented feat. With your support we can do this, and long after I am gone this team will still be here making skiers’ dreams come true.

Leann

President Elect

In high school, I fell in love with Nordic skiing. Also, in high school, I realized that skiing collegiately is not a reality for most. Yet, I set my sights upon the University of Wyoming to pursue my degree. I remember, one day after class, I saw the team skiing at the trails, and I noticed all of their uncontrollable smiles and their utter happiness. Upon witnessing that, I decided that this team is where I needed to be. This team accepts anyone, whether you are an elite racer or just a beginner. The acceptance is unlike any other team I’ve ever been a part of. Furthermore, being a part of a group that is more of a family led me to realize that I was in the right place. Before joining, I used to always close my eyes and imagine the best version of me possible, and where I needed to be or what I needed to do to get there... And one day, when the team and I were skiing in Oregon for Nationals, I closed my eyes and realized I had become the best version of me possible and that I was in the right place, and the ski team helped me get therePassion, love, determination, intelligence, and selflessness describe these athletes and coaches. We train hard all year long, and we continue to be a team even when the semester ends. Working hard in the classroom is just important as working hard on the snow, and that is of the utmost importance to us. Working with the community and the University has taught me the importance of working together, and our strong voice has been emulated across campus. Our mentality stretches across all boundaries, and when I stop to look around, I realize this life is pretty amazing- and I give all credit to the University of Wyoming Nordic Ski Team.